Best Tennis Rackets for Over 50s: Play Better for Longer
By Joe, PH Tennis
Quick Summary
If you're over 50, the racket you were using in your 30s might be costing you power and causing you pain. These are my top five rackets to help you play better, for longer, with less effort.
- Yonex MUSE 100: my number one. Designed specifically for this type of player, with the biggest sweet spot and the most manoeuvrable feel of the five.
- Wilson Clash 100: the long-standing benchmark for comfort.
- Yonex EZONE 100: power first, with comfort a close second.
- Babolat Pure Drive: the easiest power you can get, and far more comfortable than it used to be.
- Head Boom MP: a power racket with control as its secondary characteristic, and a nice step across from a Pro Staff or Prestige.
Watch the video above to see all five rackets up close.
Specs
| Racket | Head size | Weight (unstrung) | String pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yonex MUSE 100 | 100 sq in | 300 g | 16x19 |
| Wilson Clash 100 | 100 sq in | 295 g | 16x19 |
| Yonex EZONE 100 | 100 sq in | 300 g | 16x19 |
| Babolat Pure Drive | 100 sq in | 300 g | 16x19 |
| Head Boom MP | 100 sq in | 295 g | 16x19 |
What This Is
These are the best rackets if you're getting a little older. Maybe you're starting to ache a bit more, or starting to slow down. I know the feeling.
I'll start with a caveat. There are obviously players over 50 who don't need to change their rackets and are absolutely fabulous. They're loving their Prestige or their Pro Staff, they're somehow still physically fit, and they can play with the same racket they've used for years. But if, like me, you fear you might be slowing down a bit, or your arms are starting to hurt a little, you'll want something slightly different from a racket to keep you playing for longer.
We're talking about more comfort, easier access to power, a bigger sweet spot and greater stability. These are the things that will keep you playing and enjoying the game for another 20 years.
My Verdict
The Yonex MUSE is my number one. It was designed specifically for this type of player. It's comfortable, with easy power and easy spin, and it feels more manoeuvrable than anything else on this list. It also has the biggest sweet spot of the five.
But you can't go wrong with any of these rackets. If your shoulder aches, your elbow hurts or your wrist is sore, choose something that makes the game easier and is kinder on your body. You'll thank me in the long run.
What to Look For
Comfort, power, sweet spot and stability. These are the four things that keep you on court for longer.
Weight. All the rackets here come in a full range of weights, and the weight makes a great difference. Too light and it will feel unstable. Too heavy and it will be exhausting, and you won't be able to swing it for the whole match. Test the weights to find the right one for you.
Strings. This is about racket frames, but strings make a huge difference too. If you've been playing with a stiff poly, a change to a multifilament can soften the contact, making it more comfortable and the whole experience more enjoyable.
My Top Five Rackets for Over 50s
5. Head Boom MP
I've gone for the Boom MP, but it could be the MP L. Which weight helps you is a choice you'll need to make by testing them.
The great thing about the Boom is that it's a power racket, so it gives you a little extra, but its secondary characteristic is control. So if you're coming from rackets like a Pro Staff or Prestige and want the game to become a little easier, the Boom is a nice way to transition into power rackets.
It's a 100 sq in head with a 16x19 pattern, and the MP is 295 g. It also comes in an MP L and an MP UL. The Auxetic 2.0 technology, together with the Hy-Bor that's now in it, makes it really nice and stable: quick through the air but solid on contact. It also has a much improved feel compared with previous models. It's a really good all-round racket for making the game a little easier and keeping you on court a little longer.
4. Babolat Pure Drive
I know what you're thinking. This is stiff, hard to use and really unforgiving. Well, have you actually used a new one? That's a criticism you could level at the old Pure Drives, but the new ones have really improved.
What you get from the Pure Drive is a really stiff, thick-beamed racket that gives you really easy power. The easiest power, and I think the most power you can get in a tennis racket. The flax in the racket has changed, giving a much more comfortable feel, and it is definitely more forgiving.
It's 300 g, 100 sq in, and really, really stiff, so power is really easy to come by. That stiffness lets you play shorter swings. If you haven't got the energy or agility for a big long swing anymore, you can keep it shorter and still get loads of power and loads of depth. It comes in a range of weights, so you can find exactly the right one: enough stability, without losing mass or feeling rattly in your hand.
If you've overlooked the Pure Drive in the past, now's the time to give it a chance. Let's make tennis a bit easier, a bit more powerful and a bit more fun.
3. Yonex EZONE 100
Here it is in its beautiful Espresso Brown, and it's also available in blue if you're feeling a little more playful in your older years.
The EZONE is a fabulous racket that blends two of the most important things you're probably looking for: power, which it has loads of, and comfort, which it also has in abundance. That's because of the Minolon, a fibre made by bagworms, or minomushi as the Japanese call them. Who knew? It's woven into the graphite to give a unique, soft, velvety, comfortable feel.
It's a fantastic racket with loads of power and great access to spin, and that soft, comfortable feel makes it pretty forgiving on the arm. As with all of these rackets, there's a range of weights, going down into the Alphas at around 240 g, and up to the biggest and beefiest, the 98 Tour at 315 g. There's even an EZONE 115, with a huge head and a huge sweet spot, where power couldn't be easier to generate.
So there's an EZONE for everyone. If you want power as your primary characteristic with comfort a close second, the EZONE is the one for you.
2. Wilson Clash 100
Narrowly missing out on the top spot is a racket that has long been the benchmark in this category: the Wilson Clash. Here it is in its original black with red trim. It also comes in the reverse, or reverse-ish: a red-orange with white trim.
The Clash is all about comfort. It's the most comfortable racket out there, with great access to power and spin, and its comfort is unrivalled. It's super soft, super comfortable and just really easy to use.
When we tested it, it felt so easy that it lulled you into a slower, more considered game. But if your game is already a little slower and more considered because you're a bit older, the Clash is really going to help you out. Its intuitive flexing adds that level of comfort, and it's a must-try if you're looking to make tennis a little easier.
1. Yonex MUSE 100
We're going back to Yonex for number one, with their latest racket: the MUSE. It was designed specifically for this type of player, specifically for you, and it's all about playability and fun.
It's incredibly playable and comfortable, with easy power and easy spin. It feels more manoeuvrable than the Clash, more manoeuvrable than the EZONE, more manoeuvrable than anything else here, and that's what makes it my number one. You can play the game you've always played, with compact swings or bigger ones, because the racket moves beautifully through the air.
It also offers loads of stability because of the tech Yonex have put in it. There's the Servo Filter and VDM, so you have dampening materials and materials that add stability.
The MUSE has the biggest sweet spot of any of these rackets. Even sticking with a 100 sq in frame (there's also a 98 if you're lucky enough to be in Japan), the sweet spot has been elongated up towards the top of the hoop.
And it's not a huge departure if you're coming from something thinner-beamed. It isn't big, huge and chunky, but it gives you a bit more stability than something thinner like a Pro Staff or Prestige.
This is a sensational racket, and I use it for coaching because it's so easy to use. The biggest sweet spot, the most manoeuvrable, really comfortable and really powerful too. It really does offer everything. Oh, and it probably looks the best too.
Who Each Racket Is For
Yonex MUSE 100: anyone slowing down a little who wants comfort, easy power and spin, and the most manoeuvrable feel, with the biggest sweet spot.
Wilson Clash 100: players who want comfort above everything, and a slower, more considered game.
Yonex EZONE 100: players who want power as their primary characteristic, with comfort a close second.
Babolat Pure Drive: players who want the easiest power and lots of depth from a shorter swing.
Head Boom MP: players coming from a Pro Staff or Prestige who want the game to become a little easier without losing control.
Try Before You Buy
If you try one of these rackets, you may well be really surprised, and really grateful for the chance to keep playing tennis.
Our demo service lets you test any of these rackets properly, wherever you are in the UK. Add £25 to any adult racket order and we string it, fit an overgrip, add protection tape and send it out. Get on court and test it properly. If it's wrong, return it for a full refund on the racket, minus strings and the demo fee. If it's right, we refund the £25.
Book a racket demo with PH Tennis
If you're still unsure, or you're outside the UK, book an online consultation. You can speak one-to-one with us about your game, and we'll help you find the best fit to keep you on court for longer.
FAQ
What is the best tennis racket for over 50s?
Our number one is the Yonex MUSE 100, followed by the Wilson Clash 100, Yonex EZONE 100, Babolat Pure Drive and Head Boom MP.
What should older tennis players look for in a racket?
More comfort, easier access to power, a bigger sweet spot and greater stability. These help you keep playing for longer with less effort.
What is the most comfortable tennis racket?
The Wilson Clash has long been the benchmark for comfort. The Yonex MUSE is also designed around comfort and playability, with a bigger sweet spot and a more manoeuvrable feel.
Is the Babolat Pure Drive too stiff for older players?
That was true of older Pure Drives, but the new one has a much more comfortable feel and is more forgiving. Its stiffness also lets you get power and depth from a shorter swing.
Why is the Yonex EZONE comfortable?
Yonex weave Minolon, a fibre made by bagworms, into the graphite. It gives the EZONE a unique, soft, velvety feel.
What weight racket should I use if I'm over 50?
Test the weights. Too light and the racket will feel unstable. Too heavy and it will be exhausting to swing for a whole match. All five rackets on this list come in a range of weights.
Should I change my strings as I get older?
If you've been playing with a stiff poly, a multifilament can soften the contact and make the game more comfortable.
What are the Yonex MUSE 100 specs?
The Yonex MUSE 100 has a 100 sq in head, 300 g unstrung weight and a 16x19 string pattern.
Where can I demo a tennis racket in the UK?
PH Tennis offers a UK-wide demo service. Add £25 to any adult racket order, and the racket is strung, gripped, taped and sent out. If it's not right, return it for a full refund minus strings and the demo fee. If it is, the £25 is refunded.
Find out about our demo service
Final Thoughts
To conclude: if you're slowing down a little, and I count myself in this category too, choosing one of these five rackets is really going to help you stay on court. I'm closer to 50 than I am to 30. That's a terrifying thought, but true nonetheless.
If your shoulder aches, your elbow's hurting or your wrist is sore, and you want to keep playing until you're 70, 80 or 90, a Pro Staff probably isn't going to keep you there. Choose something that makes the game easier and is kinder on your body, and you'll thank me in the long run.
I'd love to know in the comments on the video what racket you're using, what you love about it, and what you'd change to keep you on court a bit longer. The MUSE is my number one, but you can't go wrong with any of these. Thanks as always for reading, and subscribe to the channel so you never miss a thing from PH Tennis.
About PH Tennis
PH Tennis is North London's premier tennis store, serving Enfield, Middlesex and beyond. We're the place to come for tennis rackets, honest advice, restrings and demos.
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